Speedskating runs deep in Ochowicz family. Alex’s mom, Olympian Sheila Young Ochowicz, won three Olympic speedskating medals (gold, silver and bronze) in 1976, and his sister Ellie is a three-time long track Olympian (2002, 2006, 2010).
Alex’s first took to the ice to play hockey, but switched to speedskating at the urging of his older sister Ellie when he was 17. Alex soon moved to Milwaukee to train alongside his sister at the Pettit National Ice Center and now trains at the Pettit with Olympic medalist Kip Carpenter.
The 2011-2012 marks Alex’s inaugural World Cup season where he will compete in his favorite distance, the 1500m. Off the ice, Alex is pursuing a degree in Economics at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. He also is a competitive cyclist.